Home savings bank



May 10, 1927.

v. P. ALEXANDER- HOME SAVINGS BANK Filed Jan. '22. 1926 Patented May 10,1927.

UNITED STATES 1,627,822 PATENT OFFICE.

VERNE .P. ALEXANDER,1OF CHICAGO, ILLLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF 1'0OLLIE L.

' HERROIT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

HOME SAVING-S BANK.

Application filed January 22, 1926. Serial No. 83,127.

This invention relates to home savings banks, and more particularly toreceptacles for this purpose inwhich coins are deposited by one or moremembers of the family, and its object is to provide a novel holder for areceptacleof this kind which enables the latter to be readily locatedwhen wanted.

A further object of the invention is to provide a holder for thereceptacle referred to which is of ornamental picture frame form anddemands prominent display.

A still further object of the'invention is to have a holder of thecharacter referred to which while prominently displayed and thereforereadily located, effectively conceals the savings receptacle from view.

Another object of the invention is to incorporate in thenovel holder aretaining device which secures the savings receptacle and the contentsofthe picture frame at the same time.

A final, but nevertheless important object of the inventionis toconstruct the same of few and simple-parts, whereby its production maybe inexpensive.

lVith the above objects in view, a better understanding of the inventionmaybe had by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 isa perspective view of the article presentingthe form of a framed photo-.graph or picture; 1

Figure 2 is an enlarged rear view of the article,di'sclosing the savingsbank feature; Figure '3 is a vertical section, with the savingsbankreceptacle removed; and

Figure 4 is a fragmental horizontal section showing the retaining devicepreviously referred to.

Referring specifically to the drawing, 10 denotes a picture orphotograph frame of any suitable design, preferably constructed of metaland having the usual opening 11 and rabbet 12 to receive the glass orcelluloid front 13, the picture or photograph 14 and the backing card15. A pair of rearwardly extended wings 16 are applied to the back ofthe frame, these tapering at the bottom to form curved legs 17 so thatthe picture may have the setting of an easel.

The wings 16 are made with apertured ears 18 along their outer edges,these ears matching with similar ears 18 projecting from the rear faceof the frame, and both sets of ears receiving pins 19 to hingedly attachthe wings to the frame. Inside, the wings are hollowed out or dished toform long pockets 16, the frontal edges 16 of which are slightlythickened to reach into the rabbets 12 of the frame opening and abut thebacking card 15. At the same time, the pockets 16 are adapted to seat ahome savings bank or receptacle 20 of the popular, oblong type.Receptacles of this variety are usually of nickeled sheet metahhave apermanently attached top 20*" cut with a coin-slot 20, and a bottom 20removable by the application of a key; and they may also bear an etchedor stampedinscriptionto ad- \ertise or identify the bank or otherestablishmen't engaged in the distribution of the receptacle.

The wings 16 incorporate in theirhinges torsional springs 21 Whosetension operates inwardly against the wings. This tendency causes thefrontal edges 16" of the wing pockets 16" to bear firmly against thebacking'card 15 and thus retain the same as well as the picture and thetransparent element firmly in place. The same retentive action appliesto the savings receptacle 20 through the agency of the pockets 16*, sothat the components of the article are held firmly together and nolooseness or rattling develops when the article is handled or removedfrom one place to another. The said pockets fully seat the sideportions, corners and edges of the savings receptacle, so that were thearticle to tip over, be inverted or fall while the savings receptacle isfull of coins, no

dismembering, spilling of contents orother damage would occur. It willthus be seen that the wings 16 accomplish two clamping functions bytheir closing improvement, acting in the direction of the frame to holdthe picture assembly thereto and in the direction of the savingsreceptacle to clamp the same between the wings.

To remove the savings receptacle, the frame is preferably laid on itsface, the wings 16 opened as suggested by dotted lines in Figure 4, byspreading the legs 17 with the fingers of one hand, and the receptaclelifted out with the other hand. If desired, a'different picture may beinserted while the wings are spread, since the backing card and theprevious picture are then in released condition.

It will be seen, in conclusion, that the invention provides anattractive novelty,

which combines beauty, usefulness and an inducement toward thrift. Atfirst appearance it is a framed picture or photograph, which isnaturally given a prominent place, such as the top of a piano,chiffonier and the like. The frame, in concealing the savings receptaclefrom view, incidentally lends its prominent and handy location to thesame, so that the depositor may readily find the receptacle at any time,rather than search in places where it may have become mislaid. While thepicture and receptacle are firmly held to the frame'ordinarily, it is aneasy matter, as previously explained, to change the picture, such as forthe photograph of the depositor or owner, and likewise to remove thereceptacle when full or partly so. The device is made of few parts, andmay be constructed by casting or stamping at small expense.

While the drawing illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention,it will be understood that the same is susceptible of many minor changesand refinements, and

it is to be understood that I may include such changes and refinementswithout de parting from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim: I

1. A bi-directional clamp for an assembly of superposed articlescomprising a set of jaws carried by the foremost article, said jawsbeing movable to exert pressure in one direction whereby to clamp theintermediate articles to said foremost article and concurrently in thedirection of the rearmost arti cle to clamp the same.

2. A bi-directional clamp for an assembly of superposed articlescomprising a set of jaws carried by the foremost article, said jawsbeing movable to exert pressure in the direction of the foremost articlewhereby to clamp the intermediate articles thereto and in the directionof the rearmost article to .5 clamp the same.

of superposed articlescomprising a set of jaws carried by the foremostarticle, said jaws being movable and spring-induced to exert pressure inthe direction of the foremost article whereby to clamp the intermediatearticles thereto and in the direction of the rearmost article to clampthe same.

4. A bi-directional clamp for an assembly of superposed articlescomprising a set of jaws carried by the foremost article, said jawsbeing movable and spring-induced to exert pressure in the direction ofthe foremost article whereby to clamp the intermediate articles theretoand in the direction of the rearmost article to clamp the same, andprops extended from the jaws to locate the article assembly in inclinedposition.

5. A bi-directional clamp for an assembly of superposed articles inwhich the intermediate articles are sunken into the foremost article,comprising: a set of jaws carried by the foremost article and havingextensions in its direction, said jaws being movable to advance theirextensions into the sunken portion of the foremost article whereby toclamp the intermediate articles to the latter and to advance the facesof such jaws upon the rearmost article whereby to clamp the same.

6. A bi-directional clamp for an assembly of superposed articles inwhich the intermediate articles are sunken into the foremost article,comprising: a set of jaws carried by the foremost article and havingex.- tensions in its direction, said jaws being movable to advance theirextensions into the sunken portion of the foremost article whereby toclamp the intermediate articles to the latter and to advance the facesof such jaws upon the rearmost article whereby to clamp the same, thefaces of said jaws being recessed to more fully engage the said rearmostarticle.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

VERNE P. ALEXANDER.

